Abstract This paper examines how since the implementation of the modern British welfare state in 1945, the various regimes have been organised around an ideological triangle of family, work and nation. It looks at how this concept draws attention to the way in which welfare policies and practices are the product of a society characterised by normative representations of class, race and gender, which in turn determine the constitution of welfare citizenship. It shows how since 1945, ideologicalassumptions underpinning the social settlement have altered along with the changing political, economic and social landscape of Britain. It maps these changes, demonstrating the consequences for the development of successive welfare regimes. It also gives a chronological account of the way in which assumptions about class, race and gender influence welfare policy and practice.
From the Paper "During the immediate post-war years there was a significant labour shortage and so the British government began a deliberate policy of encouraging immigration from Commonwealth countries. The British Nationality Act 1948 enshrined in law the right of Commonwealth citizens and their families to work and settle in Britain. However, many migrants found that despite Commonwealth citizenship, their immediate welfare needs were not being met (Clarke et al, 2001). For example, the eligibility criteria for provision of public housing, with regards to length of residence, served to exclude the newly arrived migrants."
Abstract This paper critically assesses the main themes underlying the ideological discourse of the Front National Party of France in the 1980s and 1990s. It begins by outlining the ideologicalassumptions upon which the Front National is founded. Then, in order to understand this ideological, the paper examines the factors that led to the break down of the pre-millennium consensus.
From the Paper "It is also clear that the growth of the Front National came about as a direct result of the collapse of the political consensus. With this political collapse there followed a parallel reduction in the acceptance of the liberalisation movements of the 1960s and 1970s and what they brought about. However, one thing that is certain is that the issues that have been highlighted above are important to a great number in the French electorate. Since 2002 the Front National has grown to be the third largest party in French politics. Moreover, given the proportional electoral system adopted in French elections it is far from impossible to think that in the future the party may gain a foothold in government. If the leading moderate parties are to avert such an end it will be necessary for them to clearly highlight the flaws in Front National's ideological outlook whilst at the same time addressing the very real concerns their ideological position has generated."
Abstract Initially the manner in which ideologicalassumptions permeate society is briefly explored. Then the pervasiveness and influence of ideology is explored with specific reference to the liberal democratic state and the Marxist criticism of it. 5 pgs.
A look at the reasons that people make certain assumptions in certain situations and a proposed solution on how to check and validate these assumptions.
675 words (approx. 2.7 pages), 0 sources, 2005, $ 26.95
Abstract This paper is a critical thinking essay on an assumptions scenario proposed by the instructor. The scenario details the problems that Jeffrey is having at work and his consideration to find new employment. The paper outlines some of the major assumptions that Jeffrey makes in this scenario, proposes how to validate those assumptions, discusses some other alternatives and finally discusses how to check the assumptions that are being made.
From the Paper "In the scenario in question, Jeffrey is a 40-something manager for a business based out of Chicago. He has become increasingly frustrated with his job, however, primarily because he feels under appreciated. For a number of reasons, Jeffrey believes that his boss gives him no respect at work. As a direct result, Jeffrey has begun to shop around for other employment. He is particularly enamored with a job in California. The interviewer he talked to was especially flattering, a fact that Jeffrey feels will translate to greater regard and recognition. However, what Jeffrey fails to recognize at this point is that his conclusions are based on a number of assumptions that may or may not be true. There are five major assumptions that Jeffrey makes in this scenario that drive his decision-making process and yet which may not be entirely accurate."
Abstract This paper integrates several Civil War topics, including the power dynamics of oligarchies in the antebellum South, the authorship and diffusion of pro-slavery ideology, the development and implications of the plantation slavery economy, and an analysis of different explanations for the collapse of the Confederacy, into the thesis that the South's lack of pragmatism and adaptability brought about its defeat. The writer dissects the discourse of James Henry Hammond and John C. Calhoun and presents pro-slavery ideology as a fundamentally conservative reaction to early capitalism that diffused from a planter elite to the Southern masses through the conflation of the Southern identity with the institution of slavery. The industrial and technological stagnation, aristocratic trends, and dependent nature of the Southern economy are weighed as cogent factors in the failure of Confederate resources. The writer explains, using cognitive dissonance theory, how the conflicting elements of Confederate nationalism, such as scriptural fundamentalism, states' rights theory, and pro-slavery discourse, failed to successfully coexist with the reality of slavery and led to problems with strategy, conscription, enlistment, and solidarity.
Paper Outline
I. Introduction
II. Reactionary, Principled Ideology III. Socioeconomic Maladjustment
IV. Confederate Defeat by Tradition and Ideology V. Conclusion
From the Paper "James Henry Hammond, editor of The Southern Times, defended the right to property through scriptural fundamentalism and carried slavery above human criticism by declaring it a biblically sanctioned institution. In order to justify chattel slavery's presuppositions of vindicated human property, proslavery ideology needed to incorporate the priority of slaveholders? right to property over slaves? right to liberty. Hammond provided this by asserting that man's right to "property in man" had been "consecrated" by the Bible. Suggesting a similitude between abolitionism and anti-property radicalism, as did many reactionary Southerners, Hammond anticipated that, after defeating slavery, the property-threatening ideology of antislavery would challenge the capital of the North."
Abstract The paper presents the question of what ideology will best suit China's leaders and citizens in a system in transition that will facilitate China's development in a stable manner. The paper explains that this is a complex question given that the ideology that may best suit China's leaders is not necessarily the same as the one that will best suit its people. This essay thus attempts to answer the question by describing what would be the best ideology for China for the immediate future and the probable ideology given China's current history.
Abstract The paradox of the concept "ideology" is that it is, at one and the same time, both valueless as a descriptive term and of essential importance to any discussion of politics. This essay will explore this paradoxical aspect of the concept of "ideology" in order to illustrate how the concept functions in political and cultural analysis in a modern context.
Abstract The paper contends that Karl Marx was one of the most innovative and original thinkers who has ever lived and that it certainly shows in this book. The paper describes how Marx sets out to critique German ideology and along with this, German thinkers. The paper depicts how Marx castigates German ideology most severely, essentially accusing it of being divorced from reality.
From the Paper "Karl Marx was one of the most innovative and original thinkers who has ever lived and it certainly shows in this book. Marx sets out to critique German ideology and along with this, German thinkers. He castigates German ideology most severely, essentially accusing it of being divorced from reality. In the course of this critique, he puts forward his own, materialist philosophy of the world. He contrasts his own ideas (which he assumes are entirely correct) with the German ideas (which he assumes are entirely erroneous)."
Abstract This paper explains that Richard Lewontin in his book "Biology as Ideology: The Doctrine of DNA" presents a view of science that challenges the popular conception of science as a methodical quest for objective knowledge, which exists outside of the political and social structures of human society. The author points out that the book, which is based on Lewontin's lectures for the 1990 Massey Lectures, focuses on Lewontin's area of scientific specialty biology with a particular emphasis on genetics. The paper relates that the book's component chapters each address and subvert popular myths of science that, for many people, render its practices and practitioners beyond the realm of social and political thought.
From the Paper "Richard Lewontin, in his book Biology as Ideology: The Doctrine of DNA, presents a view of science that challenges the popular conception of science as an methodical quest for objective knowledge that exists outside of the political and social structures of human society. This book, based on Lewontin's lectures for the 1990 Massey Lectures, focuses on Lewontin's area of scientific specialty: biology, with a particular emphasis on genetics. The book's component chapters each address, and subvert, popular myths of science that - for many people - render its practices and practitioners beyond the realm of social and political thought."
Abstract The paper explains that it is doubtful, given China's history of the past centuries as well as its more recent history under communism since 1949, that nationalism can form the basis of a new, legitimizing ideology. The paper describes Nationalism as a European concept that evolved over centuries with the appearance of the nation-state in Europe. The paper clarifies that nationalism is not simply patriotism, or a sense of shared cultural or linguistic identities. Rather, it is a complex array of responses to the nation-state and to a community of collective memory that a people take pride in and which they feel distinguishes them from others.
Abstract The paper looks at China today and examines what kind of ideology will best suit Chinese leaders and citizens in a system of transition on the road to some form of globally integrated and pluralistic system. The essay argues that Confucianism and democracy are the best option. The paper explains that the first is traditional in the Chinese society and the second could help solve many of the country's problems.
From the Paper "Since the early 1980s China saw a unique transformation from an isolated rural country to urbanized, stable and quite open country. This turn in the Chinese economy and politics started soon after Mao's death and Deng Xiaoping's return to power. Deng, assisted by the survivors of the Long March, started the big reformation of the Chinese system. This reform era began with a shift in the political climate. Deng and other reformists wanted to move the policy of the Chinese Communist Party from ideological to pragmatic. The country was devastated by Mao's Cultural Revolution and the Great Leap Forward as well as by Mao's totalitarian regime."
Abstract This paper argues that the medical community pathologizes human behaviors, or, for example, the police respond to deviance as violating social law. The academic community must theoretically negotiate and rationalize its contradictory role of both endorsing the structural oppressions in society and engaging with the consequential social issues in contexts of problem-solving. This paper will be deviating from the ideologicalassumption that such a thing as "normal" exists. Instead, this paper will attempt to explain how alcoholism and suicide can be understood as rational responses to an inescapably irrational society.
A comparison of cognitive theories and a discussion of assumptions, propositions and applications of human development and learning, particularly affecting childhood educators.
Abstract This paper analyzes cognitive theories, assumptions, propositions and applications of human development and learning. It looks at some of the many ways in which cognitive development can be learned. It then focuses on three assumptions about children and human nature which might be problematic for educators, specifically early childhood educators.
Table of Contents:
Major Assumptions and Propositions
Comparison of Cognitive Theories: Bruner and Vygotsky
Constructivism and the Classroom
From the Paper "In the 80s and 90s, a form of information processing theory called connectionism was formulated to describe and predict non-linear thinking. Otherwise known as parallel distributed processing, this theory describes the mind as a large, multiple networks of associations. Each network responds to new experience by becoming either stronger or weaker, and each operating independently of and in parallel with the others (Siefert, 2002). After each experience, relevant networks adapt to better a child's future performance.Balancing a cup of juice, for example, stimulates various sensory associations within a child's hand, arm, and body. Some of these become stronger and others weaker as experience with cups of juice accumulate, but the eventual result an ability to balance a cup (Siefert, 2002). The assumptions supporting connectionism are more compatible with the realities of classroom life. It is noted that learning by children takes place because synchronized learning of separate networks that integrate."
Abstract The paper defines the various forms of ideology and explains the ideology of social studies, liberalism, conservatism and moderate ideology. The paper then considers whether political ideology is polarizing a particular region of the United States. The region considered is the west north central region, through the years 1990 to 2000 and includes seven states. The paper explains the distinct characteristics of the three dominant American ideologies, liberal, moderate, and conservative and states that polarization did in fact occur throughout the years 1990 to 2000 on the West North Central region and that both the Republican and Democrat scores increased during this time period.
Outline:
What is Ideology?
Importance of Ideology in America
Research in Ideology Methodology
Data
House Members of West North Central Region - 1990
House Members of West North Central Region - 2000
Conclusion
From the Paper "An example of a successful conservative president is the 40th president, Ronald Reagan. During Reagan's presidency, the American conservative movement truly achieved dominance. According to Wikipedia.com, in that election, Republicans took control of the U.S. Senate for the first time since 1954, and conservative principles dominated Reagan's economic and foreign policies, with supply side economics and strict opposition to Soviet Communism defining the Administration's philosophy."
Abstract Ideology is both a belief and a practice. How we identify ourselves in society is intimately related to dominant ideologies. This paper will define "ideology" and it's necessary associate term, "hegemony." An outline of an example for making an argument about the relations between the ideology (the State) and identity in society will be addressed. A brief discussion of the impacts such State-based ideological practices have on social identities will be looked at.
